A Game Of Thrones sound designer has revealed the amorous groan of a male tortoise became the inspiration for Drogon’s purr in the show.

The growth of Daenerys’ dragons has become one of the show’s most weirdly heartwarming arcs, with Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion having transformed into huge fearsome monsters since their adorable arrival in season one.

Turns out however, those dragons’ fearsome roars came about from the most terrifying noise of all, giant male tortoises struck with the horn.

Speaking on Radiolab’s Big Little Questions podcast, sound designer Paula Fairfield revealed how her team found inspiration in the mating noise of the male tortoise.

‘The groan of the male actually became, with some work and adjustments, the source for Drogon’s purr with [Daenerys],’ Fairfield said.

‘The funny thing about the purr with Drogon was watching people watching [the show] and giggling when they heard it, but not really knowing why.

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‘To me, it’s because it had that essence, that kind of sensual, sexual essence.’

If that wasn’t enough dragon noise trivia, Fairfield also revealed how their other noises comprise of screeching birds and insect noises like dragonfly wings.

Game Of Thrones actor Ben Crompton recently teased the upcoming eighth and final season to Metro.co.uk, saying how it’s going go out ‘with a bang’.